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BSCOTE 18: Horikita's Analysis, Meeting at the Cafe
🕑 Added 2025-06-23 16:26:29 +0000 UTC"What do you think is the greatest appeal of ANHS?"
Ryuji asked, a cryptic look deliberately coloring his face.
Horikita frowned and instantly understood what he was implying.
The real reason students dreamt of getting into ANHS is because it boasts a 100% employment and college entry rate.
A direct ticket to success.
But what if there were hidden conditions to this?
"I'm worried that if our class continues to act as it is we'll be stripped of that reward."
Horikita was surprised hearing this but a sense of calm washed over her.
"I suppose that would make sense."
The school didn't seem to care about what the students did in class. If there were no consequences to these actions how would these students dare claim to be elite after graduating? Would the students who have graduated from ANHS not be sceptical to scorn long ago?
Yet its prestige has never been touched.
Why?
If all the riff-raff weren't actually allowed to bask in the glory of the ANHS' promised reward then it would make sense that only the 'elite' were truly rewarded.
I refuse to stay like this. Once things become clear next month we'll have to fight against this.
Horikita refused to submerge in mediocrity.
"Assuming our behaviour and tardiness are the factors affecting our Private Points shouldn't we warn the class? Maybe we can still salvage the situation."
"Suzune... Aren't you overestimating yourself?"
"What?" Horikita frowned at his insulting words.
"Why do you think the class would even bother listening to your words? A few might be swayed but the majority will attack you instead. Not to mention your reputation is practically in shambles. Two weeks have passed and your reputation as a rude and arrogant girl has spread already. Perhaps, besides me, no one even wants to consider you an acquaintance. Even Ayanokoji saw you as nothing but a pain in the ass due to the constant verbal demeaning."
Ryuji's indifferent voice caused Horikita's fist to tighten into balls. His clinical voice was devoid of emotion as if he were simply narrating facts.
And... She couldn't deny it.
She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
"I'll try my best. There's been no irreversible damage yet." Horikita paused as she analysed her current options and a few seconds later she looked at Ryuji, "...Will you help me?"
At first, she wanted to command him to do something but the past few days had made her realise she was entitled to nothing. Not being considered 'trash' was her wish and Ryuji hadn't explicitly stated any desire to improve.
His studies were born of a desire to be average, according to his words.
Hence, she changed her words.
Ryuji was smarter than her.
For now, she had to admit this fact.
And if she wanted to change the class she needed his help.
She couldn't do this alone.
Horikita looked at him calmly, her heart filled with uncertainty.
Unfortunately for her, Ryuji remained silent. Staring at her with an unreadable gaze. For some reason, Horikita felt a heavy weight press down on her, like an invisible pressure.
Ryuji's playful demeanour, his funny yet pitiful behaviour, his amused ramblings, his declarations of defeating her... It seemed none of that mattered right now.
As if they had become strangers.
Horikita felt that if she didn't choose her words properly today she'd lose her biggest helping hand.
"You could've kept all these speculations and theories to yourself. You could've simply left me alone that day. You could've taken help from Kushida-san or Hirata-kun for studying," Horikita paused, her eyes shining brightly, "You want to help the class but you also want to avoid the spotlight. You want to save our private points but you also don't want to bear the burden. You want to use me as a cover don't you..." Horikita looked him in the eyes, "...Ryuji."
Ryuji's emotionless face softened.
He looked at Horikita with a proud gaze, as if his choice had been right.
Ryuji got up, packed his things, and pulled his phone out.
Horikita watched him calmly, completely convinced her theory was correct.
Ryuji pulled his phone out and dialed a number in front of Horikita. The phone rang for a few seconds before a faint voice drifted from the microphone. Horikita couldn't hear it clearly and Ryuji paid her no attention, "Hey, were you busy?... Not really, I was a bit bored and wondered if you're willing to hang out... Oh, you're with Karuizawa and Sato?... Uh yeah sure... Alright, that's great, I'll join you in a bit."
Ryuji cut the call and pocketed his phone, heading towards the door.
"Was that Hirata-kun?" Horikita asked, the 'you're with Karuizawa' part had ticked her off.
Last week rumors had spread that Karuizawa and Hirata had gotten together and everyone in class believed this to be true. Plus neither Hirata nor Karuizawa had denied the speculation.
Of course, an anti-social loner like Horikita had no business knowing this. She only knew this gossip because of Ryuji's incessant chatter.
Ryuji turned around and smiled at her.
"Your train of thought is impeccable but there's one flaw," He lowered his head, matching her gaze, "You're not worthy of being my cover yet, Suzune."
Horikita narrowed her eyes.
"You lack the commanding presence I require. Your intelligence is surely among the best in the class but the class itself pays you no heed. For that Hirata and Karuizawa would serve better. I'll have them convince the class, you don't have to worry..." Ryuji paused,"...Being labelled as 'trash' is certainly revolting."
He left without a word.
...
Inside Pallet Cafe
"I'm with Karuizawa-san and Sato-san, I'll ask them first if you don't mind," Hirata spoke calmly as Sato and Karuizawa stared at him curiously.
Hirata lowered the phone a bit and covered the speaker.
"It's Yamamoto-kun, he says he's getting bored in the dorms and wants to hang out. Is that fine with you guys?" He spoke softly, not wanting them to refuse.
"Well, Yamamoto-kun right? I don't mind, he was pleasant and funny." Sato sipped her coffee with a contented face. She would've never bothered paying so much for a coffee but this school was like a dream come true.
"Sure," Karuizawa spoke curtly.
"We're at Pallet Cafe, at the right once you enter. We'll wait for you." Hirata ended the call and Karuizawa seized the opportunity to complain.
"Why's he being a busy body~?" She twirled her hair with her fingers.
"C'mon you don't need to be annoyed at him, Kei-chan, he's cute no? Hehe~" Sato giggled.
"Hmph! Don't dream, I have Hirata-kun for myself, he's the best in class." Karuizawa harrumphed with a smug look causing Hirata to smile in response, though his smile betrayed his awkwardness.
"Plus, he's clinging to that Horikita or whatever every second. One of my friends even saw them going to the gym together! Oh oh, they also frequently stay together at Horikita's dorm on the 13th floor. Matsushita saw them walk in together! They're practically dating okay?"
"Well..." Sato was a bit put off by Karuizawa's words. She had developed an interest in Ryuji, especially after Karuizawa got into a relationship, "Maybe they're just friends? After all, Yamamoto-kun has spent almost all of his lunches with our group, no?"
What young girl didn't dream of sweet romance?
Out of all the boys in class, Hirata had been taken and the next best option was Yamamoto Ryuji.
"Pff~" Karuizawa couldn't help but laugh at Sato's delusions.
"Oh! He's here!" Hirata stood up and waved his hand towards the clueless Ryuji who was shifting through the crowd, "Yamamoto-kun!"
They saw Ryuji turn towards them and approach with a smile.
Everything seemed normal.
But not for Karuizawa.
She felt his gaze linger on her for longer than usual, an unsettling look in his eyes.
